Jess Park: Spain goal a career highlight

With 24 senior caps to her name, there is one game in particular that springs to mind for Jess Park when she considers her favourite game in an England shirt.

A 1-0 win over world champions Spain – the team the Lionesses will come up against in little under a week’s time – in February last year saw the two sides meet for the first time since the final of the 2023 Women’s World Cup.

Park scored the only goal of the game – the match-winner – in front of over 46,000 fans packed into Wembley Stadium.

“That’s the one that stands out to me,” she said. “It was a special goal, that one. It’s not often you get to score at Wembley in front of all the fans and especially against Spain, as well. You dream of it but to actually achieve it is an incredible thing to say.

“I remember I think Alessia took on a shot and the keeper spilled it out of her hands, and I'd followed it from the start and I'd followed it into the box. It dropped at my feet and I just made sure that I put it away on target.

“When it had gone in, I was a little bit in disbelief. What a moment, scoring against Spain at Wembley. I remember Lucy pushed me and saying, ‘go and celebrate with the fans’. It was a pretty incredible moment.”

The Brough-born striker – who began her professional career with Manchester City, having been scouted by former Lionesses captain and legend Steph Houghton – departed the club last year in a swap deal with England teammate Grace Clinton.

She completed a switch to Manchester United – a move which has paid dividends for Park, with her league form translating to her performances for her country.

“I think just the change was needed," continued Park. "I think it was necessary to step up my game to the next level and feel a bit more free and feel a bit more value by the team and that's how I feel and I that's helped me be more confident and be able to show the real me.

“I feel like it’s taking my confidence club from to England just getting on the pitch and doing what I do.”

The 24 year old comes into April camp on the back of an impressive display last time out for England.

Handed starts against both Ukraine and Iceland, Park netted two goals in as many games during March camp – at the double in a 6-1 win in Türkiye – as Sarina Wiegman’s side kicked off their 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifying campaign.

“I feel like I’d come off the back of a really good period at club and then straight into camp and I managed to kind of keep that going a little bit which was really nice,” she noted.

“It’s always nice to contribute with goals and get minutes for the team and help win games and it was two positive games for me, a good amount of minutes and I really enjoyed it.

“It’s so exciting to play and it's such an honour and I think it's just important that I keep working hard and I keep training hard, and hopefully, I have more opportunities for that as well.”

Park could also be involved in a milestone moment for the Lionesses – the historic 500th game in the reverse fixture against Iceland on Saturday 18 April (5.30pm BST kick-off) in Reykjavík.

“I think being part of a legacy that's growing is incredible and being part of that history being made is something that you know you can look back and be proud of,” she stated.

“We’ve got two great opponents to play against. We’re focused and ready to go, and it's nice to see all of the girls, especially after the two wins last camp.”

A ‘brilliant occasion’ was how Park described coming up against Spain under the famous Wembley arch once again, with England set to lock horns with the EURO 2025 finalists for the first time since that triumph in Basel on Tuesday 14 April (7pm BST kick-off).

“It's always a tough game,” she explained. “They move the ball around so quickly and I think it's just a fast-paced game. They are very a technical team.

“You’ve got to be alright being uncomfortable in them games because they're going to have a lot of the ball but also, we are a very dangerous team and I think when we get in our flow against them, we can win games.”

With her first major tournament under her belt at UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 – which saw the Lionesses go back-to-back – she is hungry for more.

And while England look to book their place at next year’s World Cup in Brazil, Park is also keen to develop.

“You never want to miss out on the next massive tournament after you’ve experienced that one and obviously winning it was one of the best moments of my whole life,” explained Park.

“I'm doing the right things on the pitch and it’s getting me called up and I think that's really important. Hopefully, I can keep working hard and keep doing that and keep getting called up and keep getting minutes on the pitch.”